2010.08.18 Correspondence from Barbara Tadda

Fayette native Barbara Ford Tadda writes a President’s Message in the monthly newsletter for a hospital volunteer board in New Port Richey, Fla. Following is her most recent column.

My husband and I just flew to Northwest Ohio for my high school alumni reunion, staying with my best high school girlfriend and her husband for two weeks. We stood up at each other’s weddings, our husbands who are from two different worlds are exactly alike, and our kids have had and still have a great relationship.

If you think your friends from elementary school, high school and college are friends from the past and should stay friends of the past; think again! A high school reunion or alumni reunion is an excellent opportunity to reminisce with friends and catch up with old acquaintances. If one is in the working field, it is a great place to network as the friendships and connections are priceless. Classmates stay connected today on Facebook, MySpace, e-mail and many other popular on-line sites.

When my mother and her class celebrated 50 years at an alumni high school reunion, I thought she was really old. When I attended my 50th reunion a few years ago, I suddenly became my mother, of all things, and didn't feel that old. Also, the insecure plain Jane Wallflowers and total nerds are now on the same level as the band majorette, head cheerleader, class basketball/football stars, student council president, and in most cases, they really look better. As you get older, the past fades and anyone hanging on to their “old glory days” looks the most pathetic.

Having gone to previous class and alumni reunions, I was really excited about going this year as the town built a new school, K through 12, and the reunion was held during the day in the school. Tours of the school were taken before the catered lunch and program. With the alumni reunion during the day, individual classes were able to spend the evening together.

The following weekend was the town’s annual festival which many of us out-of-towners stayed to enjoy. Everyone attends the street parade, then a chicken barbecue in the park. There are games of all kinds, musical entertainment, hand-made crafts, food and drink vendors, and the end of the evening with a fireworks display.

We happily return home to New Port Richey, looking forward to seeing many of my hometown alumni when they come down to Florida for the winter, and we annually all get together on the second Tuesday in March for lunch and a program. Friends are precious!